Despair

The graphics of the game have received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many users describing them as subpar, reminiscent of outdated systems like the PS1 or N64. Complaints include poor optimization, choppy performance, and a lack of visual appeal, often overshadowing any positive aspects of the gameplay. While a few reviews mention decent visuals, the consensus leans heavily towards disappointment, with many players finding the graphics to be a significant detractor from the overall experience.

The gameplay of this game has been widely criticized for being short, repetitive, and poorly executed, with many reviewers noting a lack of engaging mechanics and a reliance on tedious walking and simple puzzles. Players report experiencing numerous glitches, broken mechanics, and a general sense of frustration, leading to an overall negative impression of the gameplay experience. While some mention a decent atmosphere and graphics, these elements are overshadowed by the game's many flaws, resulting in a consensus that the gameplay is lacking and unenjoyable.

The atmosphere of the game receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the sound design and lighting that contribute to a tense environment, while others criticize the lack of effective horror elements and poor graphics that detract from immersion. Many feel that the game fails to build a compelling atmosphere, often resorting to basic tropes and cheap jump scares, leading to a sense of boredom rather than suspense. Overall, while there are moments of atmospheric potential, they are overshadowed by significant shortcomings in execution.

The game's optimization has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players reporting severe performance issues, including low frame rates (often capped at 30fps or lower) and frequent crashes when adjusting graphics settings. While some users managed to run the game smoothly on lower settings, the overall consensus is that it is poorly optimized, leading to a frustrating experience marred by glitches and inadequate graphical options.

The game's stability is severely compromised by numerous bugs and glitches, including freezing movement, unresponsive controls, and issues with item interactions that render it nearly unplayable. While some players find it somewhat playable, the overall performance is marred by lag and design flaws, leading to a frustrating experience.

The music in the game has been widely criticized for its lack of presence, with many users noting that there is little to no soundtrack during gameplay, which detracts from the overall experience. While the intro music received some praise, the overall audio quality is deemed subpar, with some reviewers suggesting that even royalty-free music would have been an improvement. Overall, the absence of a compelling musical score leaves the game feeling empty and fails to enhance its atmosphere, particularly in a horror context.

Reviews highlight that the game is primarily viewed as a "farming simulator" for trading cards, with many players expressing frustration over the tedious and repetitive nature of the grinding involved. While some appreciate the game's design and story, the excessive grinding and pointless tasks detract from the overall experience, leading to a perception of it being more about card farming than engaging gameplay.

The humor in this game is largely derived from its perceived failures, with players finding amusement in its absurdity and poor design rather than intentional comedic elements. While some moments, like the main menu's "despair" option and bizarre character animations, elicit laughter, many reviewers note that the overall experience is more frustrating than funny, leading to a mix of hilariously bad and crushingly boring gameplay. Ultimately, the game's reputation for being "so bad it's good" seems to resonate more in the context of its reviews than in the actual play experience.

The game has been criticized for its lack of replayability, with users noting that there is no incentive to play again and describing the "to be continued" ending as unsatisfying.

Players report that "Despair" elicits a profound emotional response, with many experiencing a wide range of feelings—from joy to sorrow—within a very short playtime. The game is noted for its ability to evoke intense emotions, making it a standout in its genre.

The monetization of the game is criticized as exploitative, with users likening it to a cash grab amidst a sea of low-quality early access titles on Steam.

The reviews indicate a lack of character development, with players feeling disconnected from the main character due to insufficient backstory and growth throughout the game.